Credibility and Integrity of Election Commission of India is well established across the world: CEC.

June 02, 2018 06:23 PM

General

Credibility and Integrity of Election Commission of India is well established across the world: CEC.

Kolkata, June 02, 2018. Kuljit singh

Credibility and integrity of Election Commission of India is well established not only in India but globally. The EC is equipped with due constitutional powers, stated Shri Om Prakash Rawat, Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India here today. It will go on to conduct free and fair elections in the same manner. However, there are certain aspects which require reforms or legal amendments so that our process becomes more free, more fair and more peaceful, he added. Shri Rawat was speaking at an interactive session on “Electoral Integrity and Role of Money in Elections” held by the Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) in the city today. He urged media to remain vigilant and play active role in ensuring free and fain elections in the country.

Replying to the question of Electoral Bond, the CEC said that EC is looking into the matter and would take final view once the audit completes. The EC has also taken steps to delist inactive political parties to restrict their numbers, he added.Refuting the allegations of EVM tampering, Shri Rawat said, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines have also been used along with EVMs for enhanced transparency and credibility in the voting process. Comprehensive measures are also being taken to eliminate use of money and muscle power in the elections, he added.

Election Commission is planning to launch mobile application called “Model Code of Conduct Violation Reporting App” ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Similar app was launched to eliminate malpractice in recently concluded Karnataka assembly elections. This app aims at empowering people across the country to share evidence of malpractice by political parties, their candidates and activists directly with ECI, said Shri Rawat. The identity of those sharing evidence of malpractice through this app would not be disclosed to anyone, he added.Dr. Aariz Aftab, Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal Home Department, Election Branch and Shri Vishal Jhajharia, Senior Vice President, MCCI were also present among others on the occasion.